Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Want to know the real meaning of Christmas? Forget shopping for presents. "Children Sleeping Under Bridges," a new hymn from Canadian composer Ronald Brown, tells the true story:

Children sleeping under bridgesMMdark December rainWoman begging at the curbsideMMcoughing deep in pain.Hopeless, fearing, desperate, daringMMheadlights shining through the darkness:They hear a baby cry.Baby in the chafing strawMMcrying just for them;Wrapped in rags, he knows their painMMcrying just for them.Young girl standing under streetlightMMwaiting for a ride.Suffocating in a fever,MMnever had much pride.Bruised, abandoned, no one caring;MMshe cries her father's name:And hears a baby cry.Baby in the darkest nightMMcrying just for her;Baby takes her pain and calls herMMcalling only her.Old man, cardboard house collapsing,MMthis his only home;Gasps and struggles, snow encrusted,MMdying all alone.Searching, needing, defeated, gropingMMcurses his life and all he's known:He hears a baby cry.Baby in a cold dark caveMMcrying just for him;Brought into this world to dieMMcrying just for him.Rich man inside glass and steel,MMsees the scene below.There are barriers, layers, shadowsMMhe has never known.Emptiness is his only guidance;MMhe lives inside a void:Yet hears a baby cry.Baby calling out his nameMMthrough all time and space;MMreaching for him, reaching for us,MMcalling you and me.

2 comments:

Thank you for posting this, Katharine. I am delighted you chose to share it with your readers.In writing it, I wanted to capture something of the original Christmas story: of the Christ being born in a barn and being recognized and worshiped by the poorest of the poor (the shepherds). Every time I drive through a city slum I can't help but feel that that is where Christ would be walking today.Thanks again.Ron (composer and lyricist)

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